Teens Blog It

I'd like to give a great big SHOUT OUT to all of the VolunTeens who worked hard to make this year's Summer Reading Club a success!

See below for photos of VolunTeens who worked a total of 15 or more hours enjoying end of Summer Reading Club parties at their library locations:

This August two movies that are based on teen books will be coming to theaters:

On August 6 Flipped (2010), based on the book Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen, will open in theaters.  The story is about a boy and a girl who fall for each other, but at different times.  Back in 2nd grade Juli had a massive crush on Bryce, her neighbor across the street.  But Bryce thought Juli was weird and tried to stay away from her.  Now that they're in 8th grade, Bryce notices how amazing Juli is.  But by this time Juli has gotten over Bryce and thinks that he's shallow.  Will the two ever see eye-to-eye?

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010) will be released in theaters on August 13.  The film is based on Bryan Lee O'Malley's hilarious comic Scott Pilgrim.  In the film version Michael Cera stars as Scott, a 22 year-old bass player and general slacker who meets the girl of his dreams.  The only problem is that this new girlfriend, Ramona, has 7 evil ex-boyfriends who are out for Scott's blood.

Has anyone read Flipped or the Scott Pilgrim comics?  Do  you plan on seeing the movies?

Move over Edward Cullen, zombies are joining the vampires at the "cool kids" table.  Just look around, zombies are everywhere: books, movies, video games, etc.

But the question is, who would win in a battle: a vampire army or a pack of hungry zombies?

While you think this over, check out these new zombie-themed titles available for check-out at the library:

The Enemy by Charlie Higson

In this post-apocalyptic thriller, a sickness has afflicted everyone over the age of 16, and anyone who is a “grown-up” has become a decomposing, brainless creature that survives by feeding on children. The children and teens have barricaded themselves in fortified buildings, fighting off attacks from the grown-ups who travel in packs, like hungry dogs. Before long, the young survivors are promised a safe haven in Buckingham Palace, but their fight to stay alive is far from over—the threat from within is as real as the one on the outside.

I Kissed a Zombie, and I Liked It by Adam Selzer

Living in the post-human era when the undead are part of everyday life, high schooler Alley breaks her no-dating rule when Doug catches her eye.  But classmate Will demands to turn her into a vampire and her zombie boyfriend may be unable to stop him.

The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan

In this sequel to The Forest of Hands and Teeth, Gabry lives in a town trapped between a forest and the ocean, in a world teeming with the dead, who constantly hunger for those still living. She’s content on her side of the Barrier, happy to let her friends' dream of the Dark City up the coast while she watches from the top of her lighthouse. But there are threats the Barrier cannot hold back.

My So-Called Death by Stacey Jay

One second, sophomore Karen Vera's on top of the most fabulous cheer pyramid ever. The next, she's lying on the pavement. Freakishly alive without a pulse, Karen learns that she's a genetically undead zombie. Soon, Karen is sent off to DEAD High, a boarding school for the "death-challenged."

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: The Graphic Novel by Jane Austin and Seth Grahame-Smith

All over England, the dead are rising again, and now even the daughters of Britain’s best families must devote their lives to mastering the deadly arts. Elizabeth Bennet is a fearsome warrior whose ability with a sword is matched only by her quick wit and even sharper tongue. But she faces her most formidable foe yet in the haughty, conceited, and somehow strangely attractive Mr. Darcy. As the two lovers meet in the ballroom and on the battlefield, they’ll soon learn that nothing—not even bands of ninjas, hordes of flesh-eating zombies, or disapproving aunts—can stop true love.

How to Draw Zombies by Mike Butkus & Merrie Destefano

From the pages of great literature to Hollywood movies, zombies are appearing everywhere. Now aspiring artists can bring them to life, so to speak, by learning to render them with pencil, paint, and digital image-editing software.

There was recently a post published in the New York Times health blog Well about the increase of YouTube videos of teens performing dangerous stunts (a.k.a. fighting, lighting themselves on fire, jumping off of buildings, etc.)

In the blog post columnist Tara Parker-Pope questions whether internet sites like YouTube and Facebook inspire teens to do stupid stunts, or if the internet just makes these risky acts more visible. 

What do you think?  Is YouTube to blame?  Or would teens be doing these dangerous things, anyway?

The lazy days of summer are the perfect time to enjoy the newest title in your favorite book series.  Check out new teen series books available at the library:

The Time Pirate: A Nick McIver Time Adventure by Ted Bell

In this sequel to Nick of Time, young Nick McIver must prove his courage once more, this time on two fronts: in 1940's England, where Nazis have invaded his home islands, and in America during the Revolution, where Nick stands with General George Washington.

Drama High: Cold as Ice by L. Divine

In this 11th book in the series, Jayd's old crew is suddenly full of haters and even Mama's giving her a hard time. Just when it seems things can't get any worse, Misty starts talking smack, hoping to destroy Jayd once and for all.

The Demontata: Hell's Heroes by Darren Shan

The Curse Workers: White Cat by Holly Black

This is a brand new series by fantasy writer extraordinaire, Holly Black.  The main character, Cassel, has always known he killed his best friend Lila, but now the pieces are starting not to fit.

Wanted: A Pretty Little Liars Novel by Sara Shepard

In this 8th book of the series, former best friends Hanna, Aria, Spencer, and Emily, who lost their best friend and leader, Alison, years ago when she disappeared, find themselves in grave danger when they pursue the truth about Alison.

The Necromancer: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel by Michael Scott

In this 4th installment, 15 year-old twins Sophie and Josh Newman must determine whom they can and cannot trust as they search for both Scatty and an immortal who can teach Josh the magic of fire, while Doctor Dee and Machiavelli continue to seek power.

Radiant Shadows: A Wicked Lovely Book by Melissa Marr

Ani, a half-mortal driven by her hungers, and Devlin, faery assassin and brother to the High Queen, have reason to fear one another even as they are drawn together to save all of Faerie.  This is the 4th book in the series.

Is anyone reading any of these series?  If not, do you have a favorite book series that you're reading this summer?

Summer Reading Club is just around the corner, and that means that starting Saturday, June 5th people of all ages (including teens) can sign up to read and win prizes.  Teens who participate will even be entered into a raffle entry to win a Dell Netbook!

All library locations will also have fun, free programs like Henna Tattooing, 3D Game Creation, Manga & Cartooning, the History of Hip Hop, and more!  You can find more info on Summer Reading Club HERE!

Later this month the much anticipated movie The Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010) will be released in theaters.  It is an action/adventure/fantasy flick based on the popular video games.  In it Jake Gyllenhaal stars as a prince who teams up with a mysterious princess to protect an ancient dagger that can release the Sands of Time, a gift from the gods that can reverse time and allow anyone who has it to rule the world.

Anyone plan on seeing the movie when it comes out on May 28?

P.S. check out the graphic novel (based on the video games) here!

Thirteen Days to Midnight, the newest title by author Patrick Carman, is creating quite a buzz among fantasy/suspense readers.  The story goes like this: after surviving a horrific car accident that kills his stepfather, high school student Jacob Fielding discovers that he possesses the superpower of indestructibility.  What's more, Jacob is able to pass his power on to others.  At first he's nervous about using his newfound power, but soon revels in the thrill of cheating death.  But even the greatest superpower has its drawbacks, and Jacob and his two best friends find themselves making life and death decisions.  Jacob soon begins to question whether his power is really a blessing or a curse.

Has anyone read Thirteen Days to Midnight?  If so, what did you think?

The fourth book in Melissa Marr's best selling Wicked Lovely series, Radiant Shadows, will hit stores April 20. 

Radiant Shadows focuses on the characters Ani, the half-mortal and half-fey daughter of Gabriel, Leader of the Wild Hunt, and Devlin, assassin and brother to the High Queen.  Will their relationship alter the fate of Faerie forever?  Read the book and find out!

Click HERE to reserve the Radiant Shadows.